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(ModeL) J. M, DODGE. Chain.

' No. 229,978. Patented July'l 3, 1880.

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W/fNEEEES. ISA/VENTURE- 3% wdw WMZQ- UNITED STATES PATENT Orrrcno JAMES M. DODGE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 229,978, dated July 13, 1880.

Application filed May 10, 1880. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES lVIAPES DODGE, of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chains, (Case 0 and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

My invention relates more particularly to that class of chains which involves the employment of link-like bars running in the direction of the length of the chain, and has for its main object to produce a chain of this class in which the articulated or jointed links or parts shall move with a rolling motion at their points of articulation instead of with a hinge-like movement, or, in other words, shall move with a comparatively frictionless motion, instead of after the fashion of a journal and box-bearing; and my invention has for a secondary object to make a chain involving this novel principle of construction at the joints in such manner that the jointed parts may be uncoupled, but only when the links are turned out of their working condition or positions; and to these ends and objects my invention consists, first, in a chain in which the links at their jointures or connections are united by means which enable them to vibrate about the points of connection with a rolling or anti-frictional movement of the bearing-surfaces of the parts, as will be hereinafter more fully explained; and, secondly, in a chain formed or provided with means which effect the coupling together of the links, so that they can move at their points of connection upon rolling bearing-surfaces, and which also permit the uncoupling of the links only when turned into an unusual relative position, all as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to more fully describe it, referring byletters to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and in which- Figure l. is a top or face view, Fig. 2 a side or edge view, Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional View, and Fig. 4 a horizontal section at m as, Fig. 2, of a chain made according to my invent-ion. Fig. 5 is a side view, showing the mode of uncoupling the links; and Fig. 6 is a side View, showing a modification, which will be presently explained.

In the several figures the same part will be found designated by the same letter of reference.

A represents the single, and B the double, link of the chain, the latter being made of two plates or bars, I) b, united by the usual crosstie studs or rivets 0. Each of the bars or plates 11 of the double link is formed or provided near each end and on its inner face with a peculiarly shaped projection, d, leaving within its contour a sort of recess or depression, 6, for the accommodation of a projecting lug, f, of a given form, on one side, near the end of each single link, and each of said single links is formed or provided on each side with two such lugs, f, such lugs being located at or near the end of each side of the link, as clearly shown. (See Figs. 2 and 4.)

When the parts are coupled together and in a working position the lugs f will each he located and will work within one of the recesses e, and will bear at its inner straight edge, 1', (see Fig. 2,) against the curved edge j of the rib-like projection on the inner face of the side plate, I), of the double link, and in any turning movement of the links relatively this straight bearing-edge of lug f will roll in one direction or another on the curved edge j of rib d. The structure and conjoint arrangement of these parts will be best understood by reference to Fig. 2.

By this construction and combination of parts it will be seen the jointed links, instead of moving with the friction and wear consequent to the usual hinge-like joints of chains of the class to which my invention relates, move with a sort of rolling or anti-frictional movement of the bearing devices, thus enabling the chain when at work to operate with much less friction, and to run a given time under a given strain with very much less wear and with less consumption of driving power.

Whenever it may be desired to uncouple any two linksv for any of the usual and wellknown purposes of detachable chains, by turning the parts desired to be detached into the positions shown at Fig. 5, they may be separated, as illustrated in that figure, by moving them apart, as indicated by the dotted lines. It is for this purpose of detachability that the throat or opening is left at 8. Were the riblike projections 61 made without any break in their contour, so as to entirely surround the lugs f, the parts of the chain, after having been once put together and the rivets of the double links fastened, could not, of course, be uncoupled. It will therefore be seen that, if desired, the chain may be made non-detachable, and so as to embody the first part of my invention without containing the second feature of said invention.

In the modification of my invention shown at Fig. 6 the lugs f instead of having a straight working-edge, are curved, as seen at 4?, so that the two surfaces of the joint devices which come to a bearing against each other are curved, as seen. In this form of rolling or anti-frictional joint device the operation and results of the first part of my invention are substantially the same as occurring in the other form of my invention, and, like it, this form of chain may be made either detachable or not, as desired.

1t will be seen that in a chain constructed upon the principle of the first part of my invention, the frictional wear and strain being distributed, as shown, over long bearing-surfaces, and the motions of the bearing parts being that of one rolling on the other, instead of turning one on the other, as in the case of the socket and pintle ot' a hinge-like joint, the chain will endure more strain and longer wear with a given amount of stock in the structure than can possibly be endured in a chain made according to any of the heretofore'practiced modes of construction.

My improved chain, in either a detachable or non-detachable form, possesses many and great advantages over chains as heretofore made, especially for heavy work, where the chain is subjected to great strain and wear. It may, of course, be made of any desired size and pattern of links, may have the links duplicated widthwiseof the chain to increase its width merely, and may be varied in many details of the parts without losing the principle or advantages of my invention.

Having now so fully described my improved chain that those skilled in the art can make and use my invention, that I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A chain the links of which are coupled or jointed together to give the chain the requisite flexibility by means of bearing-lugs f or their equivalents, on the end of one of two adjacent links and embracing projections on the other links, the said lugs and projections working together with a superficial rolling motion,

as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A chain having the links coupled by means of lugs f or their equivalents on the end of one of two adjacent links and embracing projections on the other link, the said lugs and projections working together with a superficial rolling motion, and the links having said projections being provided also with the openings at s, as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of April, 1880.

JAMES MAPES DODGE.

In presence of- ALBERT M. DAY, 13. M. SAUNDERS. 

